Le Youth

Wes James operates under the artist name Le Youth as a DJ and producer based in Los Angeles, crafting luminous, iridescent house and neo-disco productions. Although tracks such as the breakthrough 2013 single “C O O L” draw deeply from R&B of the 1990s and 2000s, later works like the 2020 EP Waves move closer to progressive and melodic house. His first album, Reminders, appeared in 2022, followed the next year by About Us. The collaborative EP & surfaced in 2024.

Born in Toledo, Ohio, Wes James began his music career as the drummer in a high-school band. After graduation he relocated to Seattle, Washington, where a coworker at the record store that employed him introduced him to sequencers and drum machines, sparking his interest in electronic music. Returning to Ohio, he split his schedule between touring with friends’ groups and developing original material. By 2012 he had settled in Los Angeles, and that summer he offered a free download of “Dance with Me,” the first release credited to Le Youth. Online writers quickly noted its 1990s atmosphere and the inventive fusion of R&B with house. Around the same time, James supplied remixes for acts including the Hint and Goldroom. In July 2013 the Sign of the Times label issued his proper debut single, the Cassie-sampling “C O O L,” which reached the Top 30 of the U.K. singles chart.

Over the ensuing years Le Youth issued additional singles: 2014’s “Dance with Me” featuring Dominique Young Unique, which nearly entered the Top Ten; the Javeon collaboration “Feel Your Love”; the 2015 cuts “Real” and “Touch”; and 2016’s “Boomerang” and “If You’re Leaving,” the latter two spotlighting Tay Beckham and Sydnie respectively. For the 2017 track “Walk Away,” James reworked vocals from Paula DeAnda’s 2006 hit. Later that year he partnered with Ava Max on “Clap Your Hands” and with MNDR on the trip-hop-tinged “I Could Always.” Following remixes for Bonnie McKee and Morgan Page, he released “Stay” featuring Karen Harding in 2018.

As James accumulated analog synthesizers and vintage equipment, his sound gravitated toward progressive house, with vocals and pop hooks becoming less prominent. The three-song EP Aquiver arrived in 2019, succeeded by Waves in 2020 and further singles such as “Gemini,” “Rise,” and “Underwater.” The three-song Colour EP appeared in 2021, along with “Miraje,” “Skipping Stones” alongside Sultan + Shepard, and “Virgo.” Several more tracks preceded Reminders, Le Youth’s debut full-length, which welcomed guests including OCULA, RBBTS, and Tailor. About Us followed in 2023, featuring the single “I Will Leave a Light On” with Lane 8 and Jyll. A 2024 deluxe edition added remixes and extra songs. Le Youth then issued “Stay Still” with Forester and Lyrah, then &, a six-song EP that included LeyeT, Robby East, and Lexer.